SRINAGAR: Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi on Saturday criticised the Modi government for remaining silent on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly Israel’s actions in Gaza and its recent strikes on Iran. She called the silence “not just a loss of voice, but also a surrender of values.”
In an article published in The Hindu, titled “It is still not too late for India’s voice to be heard”, Gandhi said India had walked away from its principled support for a two-state solution, which envisions a sovereign Palestine coexisting with Israel.
She said New Delhi’s silence on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the recent escalation with Iran marks a serious shift from India’s moral and diplomatic traditions. Gandhi urged the government to use all diplomatic channels to push for de-escalation and renewed dialogue in the region.
Referring to the June 13 airstrikes by Israel on Iran, Gandhi said the attacks were unlawful and posed a serious threat to regional and global stability. She also alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a record of undermining peace and fuelling extremism.
Gandhi also criticised US President Donald Trump for dismissing intelligence assessments on Iran and making provocative statements that, she said, risk further escalation.
Recalling India’s historical ties with Iran, she noted that Tehran had supported India during critical moments, including the 1994 vote at the UN Commission on Human Rights on Jammu and Kashmir. She said Iran has often been more cooperative with India than previous regimes.
Gandhi stressed that India’s strategic ties with both Israel and Iran place it in a unique position to act as a bridge for peace. She said this is not just a foreign policy issue but one of national interest, given the large number of Indian citizens working across West Asia.
While condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, Gandhi said the Indian government must also acknowledge and speak out against the scale of destruction in Gaza, where over 55,000 people have died, with entire neighbourhoods and hospitals destroyed.
She called for India to uphold its diplomatic responsibilities and not remain silent in the face of large-scale humanitarian crises.
